AVCHD in AE CS3

[Steve Roberts]

AE doesn’t like importing files compressed with MPEG-type codecs. You need to convert it to something that uses all I-frames, such as Photo-JPEG at 89%+ or Animation.

It’s an acquisition codec, not an editing codec, and certainly not a compositing codec. It might even be a “consumer” codec, with very limited editing support.

If you Google AVCHD, you should find some options, Vegas being one of them. Premiere’s support is not clear.

[Da Sh]

I own Vegas but I really want to do editing in CS3. So you think that I should first convert it in order to import it in AE. Ok.
But is there a software that you would recommend?
I’m not familiar with converting software.

[Steve Roberts]

You need to find an application that will open AVCHD files. That is your limitation.

Try Vegas or Quicktime Pro.

That camera is not a professional camera, and the codec is not a professional codec for editing, effects or compositing. Expect some difficulties in post like this.

[Evideom]

Should I get a miniDV HD consumer cam or a AVCHD consumer cam?
I like messing around with AE and NLE, what would be the better choice?

[Steve Roberts]

Buying an AVCHD camcorder is just asking for trouble. Read the earlier posts.

[Paul Ezzy]

I’ve had some luck using MainConcept’s MPEG Pro HD, but it was inconsistent. At first, it let me view (and edit) footage in AE CS3 and PPro CS3, and I know this because I’ve exported such clips.

However, after some time it stopped working in AE (didn’t keep trying in Premiere). I wasn’t sure why, and when I asked their tech support they said AE was not officially supported for the process I was using.

Nevertheless, it’s worth a trial run.

https://www.mainconcept.com/en/products/apps-plug-ins/plug-ins-for-adobe/mpeg-pro-hd-cs-4.html

Hope it helps. I’m currently looking for a permenant solution to this problem myself (that doesn’t involve getting CS5) 🙂

-Paul E.